DERGAON, May 12 � Manipur lifted the 20th Senior National Women�s Football Championships title defeating Orissa 3-1 at the Golaghat stadium here today.
Bala Devi of Manipur struck early in the 3rd minute and then in the 55th minute while Oinam Bembem Devi scored in the 20th minute. Orissa reduced the margin in injury time through substitute Sakina Nesa.
�It was a good win. I am really happy to end a fairly good campaign on a high but more importantly I would like to point out that the future stars who played in Orissa colours today have a lot of potential,� an elated Bembem said after the match.
Manipur indeed took the game by the scruff of its neck from the word go. The red shirts, full of national team players in their ranks, were clearly the much superior side. The Orissa girls, made up mostly of Under-19 players, found life difficult against their more fancied opponents.
Congratulating Manipur for the victory, national team head coach Anadi Barua said, �Manipur had the measure of the game from the first whistle. These girls are too experienced to falter. It was a nice experience for the youngsters, I�m sure.�
�It was good to see the Orissa girls fighting till the last minute. They could score one and could have added another in added time.�
